"Good people sleep soundly at night in the knowledge there there are rough men will to do harm to others on their behalf."-George Orwells

The Mayor frowned as her eyes ran over the words before, or rather she frowned at a lack there of. Nosing the manilla folder closed, she looked up at the human standing in front of her desk. Though the soldier easily towered over the equine by a near good two feet, she still managed to look down on him over her nose and say, "Lieutenant, would you be so kind as to answer a question?"

Though his features was set in the usual neutral soldier face, inside he wanted to kick this troublesome bitch right in the plot. Not only had she made him wait three hours after arriving in town, she had him sit in a cell, giving some shit about "assume hostile till proven otherwise.' He knew for a fact that those orders had been hand delivered two days before he left Cantarlot to the Mayor. Racist twat. But he only said pleasantly "Of course Mayor."

Tapping the top of the folder with a hoof, she said "Tell me, why are there these black lines running through most of these papers sentences."

"Those sections are redacted, ma'am."

Groaning, the mayor face hoofed. Damn it all. When the diarchs first opened the respective embassies on both worlds, she had recieved a bunch of guards from the country called America whose files had the same pattern of black marks. Returning to Earth, she demanded that if they were to continue as allies, that she should have final veto power over security on both side of the portal. Her request was approved, on the condition that all files must remain secure, to which Celestia took too with a passion. After reading the file, she and her sister locked them away in a vault that even rivaled the door that contained the elements. And whenever a human guard was reassigned, the file was copied, then blacked out of any doings before Equestria. Lero was bad enough, she knew that monkey. But really, to assign another of those things to her town... the princesses must be off their bloody rockers.

Seeing the face hoof, and hearing the groan, Mesa continued in the same neutral tone 'Is there a problem Mayor?'

Scowling, the equine pulled her hoof away, and snapped, 'Frankly sir, I fail to see why the Diarchy deemed it necessary to put another of your kind in my town."

My kind, the human seethed internally. But he merely said 'With all due respect Mayor, these are orders. If you truly have a problem with this assignment, you are more then welcome to take it up with the Princesses.' he paused, then before he could stop himself added 'do your worst four eyes.'

The mare jolted onto all fours, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. Looking at the human, her eye twitched, her fury growing. But she remembered what Lyra told her about that manticore, and she bit her tongue. Breathing heavily, she growled, "Theres a spare cot in the basement, good sir. You are more then welcome to."

Smiling, Mesa nodded. "Thank you madam Mayor, that is more then generous of you."

.....

0900 Ponyville, day 1 posting

Mesa yawned, covering his mouth to stifle the sound as he walked out into the village. For the first day, he had been, he was supposed to get situated, and get to know the locals. Pulling his rifle further up on his shoulder, he watched bemusedly as stallions took one look at him and fled, while mares grabbed fillies and colts of the street to drag them into the closest open door. Looking over his shoulder, he winked at the mare leaning at the town hall wall.

"Morning Lyra. Just couldn't stay away from this pretty face huh?"

The teal colored equine rolled her gold colored eyes, and stuck her tongue out at the human. "Bad boy Mesa, teasing a poor helpless old mare like me." Giggling, she looked at the humans weapon pointedly. 'Besides, I don't think your constant companion there would approve."

Chuckling, Mesa rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, sorry. They don't have any decent lockers where I could stow it, so for now, I gotta take it along with me."

Frowning, Lyra leaned up off the wall, and walked over to the new guard in town. "Don't you trust us?"

Mind flashing to Mayor automatically, he replied, 'Its not really a matter of trust. I'd just rather not make anyone more nervous then I already."

Lyra rolled her eyes again, and over the pause in words, their was the sound of doors and windows being barred, and the scrapping of furniture as it was moved across the floor. "Bit too late for that, don't you think?"

.....

0915 Ponyville Library

Lyra's magical aura surrounded the doors handle and opening, she said, "Hey Twi, you in?" Ducking under the door frame slightly, Mesa made his way into the library, and what he saw gave him pause. As was common with almost all libraries, this one was lined wall to wall with books, but what drew his attention was the mare in the far corner of the tree. Sitting at a large desk with its back to them, which seemed to be bending slightly under the weight of the tomes on top of, a lavender equine sat, and judging from the glowing appendage the jutting from her head, Mesa safely drew the conclusion it was a unicorn, who, Mesa again concluded, was writing something judging from the slight scratching noise of a quill. Lyra stepped in front of the human, and said "Hey, Twi. We gotta a new guard, he.... Twi?"

Lyra's muzzle puckered as she realized her words fell on dead ears. She loved Twilight to pieces, but sometimes that filly drove her crazy the way she could get caught up in work. Suddenly, she grinned, and looked over and up at Mesa. "Watch this."

Undoing the silence spell surround her hooves, she purposefully clopped across the wooden floor. The purple mare merely hummed a tune as she went about her work. Sitting back on her haunches, Lyra leaned forward, and pursing her lips, blew gently into the mare left ear, which twitched, but Twilight gave no other acknowledgement. Shaking her head, Lyra leaned back again. As he watched this, Mesa's eyebrows raised slightly. What in the name of God was Lyra doing?

Smirking, Lyra brought her hoof up, pausing a moment for dramatic effect, then brought it back down up the right part of her herdmates right flank with an audible slap. Twilight yelped and whirled, eyes furious, starting to say "Hey, you can't mmmphhh!" after can't with the mare whirled around fully in front of her, Lyra pressed her lips to her lavender herdmates, and as she tried to pull back in surprise, Lyra put a foreleg behind her neck, holding her in place. Slowly, she felt the uptight librarian loosen under her kiss, so Lyra pulled back eliciting a small desperate whine of protest as she did, leaving a panting mare in her wake, eyes half lidded and somewhat glazed over.

Seeing the look on Twilight's face, Lyra giggled. Eyes opening fully, Twilight spat to the side, and wiped her muzzle furiously. "Damn it.... pah... Lyra." She took a indigent pose, glaring at the chuckling figure before her. "Didn't I tell you not to do that?"

Not repentant in the least, Lyra smirked, rolling her eyes. Seeing this, Twilight's right brow raised, and she gave Lyra a small smile which gave the teal unicorn pause. Leaning forward, Twilight licked the right jawline of her herdmate, making Lyra irk and jump slightly.

"And in any case..." Twilight kissed the tip the muzzle, and slowly drew her closed lips down the length of Lyras jaw to her neck, and coming to it, the lavender mare nuzzled Lyras neck. "Didn't Lero and I....' she licked the mares neck, and her herdmate whimpered, her eyes rolling into the back of her head somewhat, then gasped as she felt her little filly's teeth nip the flesh 'Service you enough... my naughty herdmate...' She pressed her lips to Lyras neck fully, tongue pressed to the fur and skin, feeling the quickening pulse under it. Eyes fluttering, Lyra stammered, 'Uhhh... oh... Twi.. we...'

Growling again, Twilight pulled away from the neck of her lover, snarling 'Silence slut...' hearing this, Lyra's eyes went wide. Uh-oh, Twilight only got like this when she was really turned on, and as she pressed her mouth against Lyra's neck, the mare knew there was only one way to snap her out of it. Putting a hoof on either side of her herdmate, and with a heavy heart, she pushed the mare away, shout "Twilight Sparkle, enough!"

Pouting, Twilight huffed 'Lyra...' and the poor teal mares heart almost broke at the look in her lavender eyes. Shaking her head, Lyra hissed 'Twi, we have guests...' eyes widening, Twilight looked over her lovers shoulder frantic, then frowned.

"Uh, Lyra. What guest?"

Lyra turned around, and seeing no one else, muttered "Damn it...' and fled the library, leaving a very confused and somewhat hurt lavender bearer of an element in her wake.

.....

Lyra chuckled at the human leaning against as she levitated the glass of water to him. "Sorry about El-tee."

The human in question merely nodded, and taking the glass, sipped it, maintaining his composure. Lyra had was quite impressed. Two hot mares making out in front of him, and without so much as a blush, he turned and walked out. Smiling at the gesture, she turned to one who was anything but stoic. Twilight held her covered her face with hooves, and was the embodiment of the word mortified. She long ago got over any feelings of discomfort in regards to public showing of affection, of course, but still.... what she was going to do.... and what Lyra was... it was all to much! Biting her bottom lip, Lyra poured a cup of tea for her distressed mare, and unclasping her teeth, she said 'Here you are my dear." and laid the cup and sauce next to the lavender unicorn. Raising her hoof, she looked at her herdmate, Seeing the beautiful toned looking out from the shade of a raised foreleg was too much for the teal mare, who giggled.

"I just cant help it. My little Twili is just such a cutey!"

Hearing this, Twili suddenly actually bared her teeth and growled. Sitting back on her haunches, Lyra raised her forelegs, and placed one below her horn and across her forehead, the other across her heart, and cried dramatically "Ohhhh nooooo! The evil Lady Sparkle wishes me dead! Wont some brave knight of Earth come to my defense!"

Deciding to play along, Mesa said 'Don't look at me lady, It's my day off."  Chuckling, he laid his now empty glass. "So you two are herdmates huh?"

Lero nodded. "Yep, us and a pegasus named Rainbow Dash."

"Whats the name of your stallion."

Lyra looked down at Twilight, and Twilight looked at her, and the answered in unison "Lero." then Lyra rose to nuzzle the top of the lavender mares head.

As she did that, neither of them could see the sudden jerk of their guest. Lero. Gulping, he shook his internally... no, it couldn't be... but he knew it was true, the man he wanted to see more then anyone and at the same time dreaded more than anything was the stallion of two ponies... no, people he actually was starting to like. No, he resolved to himself. No, I have to speak to this man. Some things are more then friendship, even new ones.

Smiling, he looked at the loving pair of equines, and said softly, 'This man is very lucky.'

As Lyra took the glass and empty cup of tea into the kitchenette, Twilight smiled at the newest addition to their town sheepishly. "I'm sorry again about before. I know how skittish your people are around matters of mating."

At this, Mesa crossed his arms, and said 'You do, do you?"

Twilight nodded. "Indeed, in fact, I've written a book about it four years ago."

"How?"

At this, and the tone of his voice, Twilights smile faded somewhat. "Uhhmm, how?"

"Yes, how?' he smiled, and Twilight felt an odd twinge of her brain, as though something had shaken loose. 'Too my knowledge, there were no other humans aside the stallion of you herd four years ago, correct?"

"Correct..,' the mare said reluctantly, the memory showing itself only a moment then slipped.

"And forgive a water head soldier like me, but wouldn't you need more then one subject to do any study of a species." He looked up, the smile still in place as he studied the ceiling.

Twilight nodded, then her eyes widened as her memory became clearer.

"So, that being the case,' he looked down, frowning. 'How can you say in any fairness you know jack shit about humans, ma'am?'

Twilights head shot up, and she began to do the same look the mayor had just yesterday. Her memory was crystal clear now: she as a filly, bragging of powers she did not possess, to a teacher who couldn't be less impressed, then Twilight making the same face she was now when her teacher asked her to prove. Frowning at the image in her minds eye, Twilight asked 'How old are you Mesa?"

"Twenty one."

Akking, Twilight face-planted into the bench she was laying on. She and her friends had defeated two demi gods, helped bring the crystal empire back. Hay, she had earned three doctorates by the time she was twenty five, and was the personal student of Celestia, and a confidant to Luna. And yet, despite all that, she had just been decidedly rebuked my a mere sprig of human.

Looking up, she scowled at the figure leaning in the kitchen doorway. "And you! Letting this man do that to me! What sort of herdmate are you?"

Lyra pursed her outer lip and rolled her eyes up in a mock contemplative look. "Mmm, they kinda of herdmate who knows when to defend the ones she loves, and when to let a near total stranger come into her own place of work and knock her down a peg." Smirking at the scowl given to her, she pursed her lips again, this time to make a smooching noise. "Love you babe, even when your insufferable."

Twilights eyes flashed, and she opened her mouth to give a crushing response, when suddenly Lyra straightened up suddenly from leaning on the frame. At the same time Twilight suddenly looked at the door to the library, and they both gazed at the entrance eyes widening. Seeing this, Mesa's eyebrows knitted together. The closest he could describe their expressions was like two kids at Christmas

The handle began to turn, and as it did Mesa began to see the wide eyes of the equines grow wider still at the movement. The door began to open, and as voice,

"Hey girls, I'm..." Suddenly, the two mares seemed to blur temporarily into near non existence letting twin sound of shrill squees of excitement. At sudden movement and the noise, Mesa dove down and flattened his back against back of the libraries front counter. Feeling his thumb click the safety off, he knew it was time to rain hot lead down on the one who dared too.... laugh? Face palming, he berated himself to calm the fuck down. Laying his rifle on the floor, he rose, and regarded the scene that was playing out in front of the counter.

Sitting between the two licking and nuzzling mares sat who Mesa could only think was Lero. Shoulder length reddish blonde hair tied in a a ponytail cast over his left shoulder, he also bore a trimmed beard and goatee, and was laughing at the administrations of his two mares. Giving them both a kiss in return, he snorted and growled playfully.

"Really you two, every day with this?"

Twilight hmmphed, and turned away as Lero tried to kiss her again, sticking her nose in the air, saying in mock offense "Its your fault, my dear. Your the one who spends all day away from your loving herd."

Lyra nodded sagely. "Ditto!" Causing both her lovers to look at her in confusion. Looking back, she stuck her tongue out at them then said "Hey, they can't Still Way philosophy quotes."

Rolling his eyes, he pushed the mares reluctant hooves off of him, and the all rose as one. As he leaned in to give another peck to Twilight, he looked up and ohhed in surprise. Scratching Twilight behind the ear while stroking Lyras mane, he said "Who's this?"

"This is Mesa.'Lyra said brightly looking up at her stallion lovingly.

Meanwhile, her herdmate regarded their guest wearily. "He's got a big mouth..."

Lyra giggled, "Pot calling the kettle black, don't you think my dear?" Earning a tongue sticking out at her from the lavender mare. Walking forward, Lero shrugged, and chuckled. "Sorry, they get like that."

Shaking his head, he held out  his hand, and continued over to Mesa. "Pleased to meet you, I'm..."

Not leaving his leaned spot on the counter, Mesa looked away to a spot on the floor, and interrupted. "Bellerophon Michaelinas."

Leros smiling slid into one of shock as he was stunned enough to stop moving towards Mesa. Slowly lowering his hand, he said, 'Yes, but how..." he shook his head, incredulous.

Twilight frowned, and cocked her head tilted her head slightly to the left in a gesture of confusion "Yeah, that's true. I never told him your full name. Lyra, did you..."

"Twilight..." the lavender mare jumped slightly. Lyra hadn't really used her full named much for the last three years, so any use had become a warning. Splaying her ears slightly against her skull, she glanced back at her herdmate. Seeing the slight shake, she sighed, then with an slight upward movement of the teal unicorns head, they both moved into the kitchen.

Lero crossed his own arms, frown set in confusion, and walked slowly behind the counter. "I'm sorry, do I know you?"

Mesa chuckled, and seeing the flash in to other mans eyes, said "Sorry, you just remind so much of him."

Leaning up against the opposite end of the libraries counter, Lero asked "Who?"

"Jacob..."

At this Leros arms fell limp, and his neck seemed to have lost its ability to support his head. The little sickly kid who he used to torture till he cried, and that same second the tears began to shed Lero grabbed him roughly and give him a hug and tell him not to be such a baby, had grown up while he was gone. Grown up and become a soldier. He fought in a war that was waged while Lero was happily living out his days in the glow of his lovers, and that little kid came back to his mother in a black bag. He could still remember the weight in his hands at the large brown envelope that was delivered to him after he sent a letter to his parents after the portals were opened, and he could still remember the muzzled confusion he got when he opened the envelope, and upending it, his brother Medal of Honor slipping into his open palm, and he could still remember his tears when he found out what happened. But still, there was one question.

"Sir... what happened to my brother? How did he die?"

Mesa's brows knitted together. "We were on mission, and got sold out.'

Lero began to breath deeper, teeth grinding 'Do you know who did it?"

"I do."

Leros fingers curled into fists, 'Did you find this person again."

"Yes sir."

"And..."

Mesa's mind drew back into memories, or one specific memory. A airport runway, a figure being pushed from the back of a van, the vehicle quickly away... the figure in a kneeling position, laughing as he told his comrade how he spent every last red fucking cent on booze, blow, and every whore in sight. The man glancing up at his brother, Mesa's sidearm pushing against his right temple. Seeing his finger away from the trigger, the soldier begins to scream, come on, what are you waiting for, do it, do it, i killed our best friend, i killed your lover, come on, three muscles to send me on my way, come on, come on, come on damn you, blow my brains out onto the black tar and skull fuck the still smoking exit hole, you fucking pansy, fag, pussy, fucking woman, pull it now...

Standing straight, he clicked his heels, and folding his hands behind has back, said "Sir, I holstered my weapon, and walked away."

It took two seconds before the words registered, and Lero's fist slammed into Mesa's jaw.

.....

Six seconds from that, an audible thud sounded through the library, followed by a screech. "You let him go!"

Gasping, Twilight rushed past, and seeing her stallion beginning to lift his fist for another blow, she rushed in between, screaming, "NOOO, NO LERO, STOP THIS..." she gasped as his fingers into her mane an with a surprising ease he yanked her hard to the left Teetering for a moment on her hind legs, she fell back on her haunches with a cry of pain as her shoulder slammed into the library shelves, jostling a number of books to the floor, and as her eyes locked with Lero, she tucked forehooves against her chest as her lover raised a fist again, and whimpered, 'Stop.... please...' she winced as the fist made an meaty thunk against the  mans cheek. "Lero... this isn't... you cant...' tears began to stream down her cheeks as he lifted his fist, cocking it back for another blow, only to have it stilled in a blue aura. Looking over his shoulder, Lero snarled at Lyra, 'Let...go...now.,,' Lyra shook her head, no smile on her lips. As she folded the other arm behind his back, Lero lunged forward, attempting to rip out the neck of Mesa with his teeth. As Lyra pushed him out, he began to sob.

Twilight glared at the slumped soldier. "Sir, you'll need to leave." Next Chapter: Chapter three Settling in Estimated time remaining: 47 Minutes